From offer to CAS: the road to your UK Student visa

Studying in the UK for more than six months usually means applying for a Student visa. The process starts with your university, not the Home Office.

1. Meet your offer conditions

A conditional offer becomes unconditional once you send final results, English-language evidence or other documents the university asks for.

2. Pay your deposit and request your CAS

Your university issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), a unique reference that confirms your place. Check every detail on it: name, course, dates and fees paid.

3. Prepare your finances

You must show money for your tuition (minus anything already paid) and living costs, held for the required period before you apply. The amount depends on where in the UK you will study.

4. Gather the rest

• Passport and CAS reference.
• Proof of funds in the right format.
• A tuberculosis test certificate if you live in a listed country (Nigeria and Ghana are included).
• Academic documents listed on your CAS.

5. Apply, pay and attend your appointment

You pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, then give biometrics. Your permission is issued as an eVisa linked to your UKVI account rather than a physical card.

Dependants

Most taught postgraduate students can no longer bring family members as dependants. Research degrees and some government-sponsored students are exceptions.

AJOVIA tracks each of these steps with you in your portal. Universities make admission decisions and UKVI makes visa decisions.